At Digital Plus, there are only two windows providing natural lighting for 20,000ft2 of warehouse space. Therefore, lighting the space in a natural rather than synthetic manner was the key challenge for the project. Our design solution integrated several dramatic lightboxes into the project, the most significant being the circular one in the main entry area.



BEFORE

The main entry serves as both the reception area and company ‘face’, and the systems node, where new HVAC ductwork, existing sprinkler lines, electrical raceways and gas piping emanate from. The ceiling plane above the reception area was either going to have a significantly reduced ceiling height, or be articulated through a series of unseemly soffits. We opted to design the soffiting around the different size HVAC and piping lines, creating an orthogonal pattern of bars to contrast with the circular geometry of the reception.



DUCTS AND FRAMING

We built the curvilinear walls with adjustable tracks at the floors and ceilings, using a laser level to keep the light-gauge metal studs plumb.



SHEATHING

Once framing was complete we sheathed the walls with two layers of ¬?‚Äù gyp board which had been misted with water and set on arc shaped plywood forms whose curvature matched the radius of the perimeter walls for the lightbox for a couple of days prior to installation. The plasterers did a phenomenal job smoothening all butt joints, and screw penetrations. Wiggle wood was used in the central circular soffit to allow for ceiling furring strips that framed onto it.



FINAL LIGHTBOX AT MAIN ENTRY

The final result was an impressive welcome stage, with an unexpected and sootihing iradescence. All visible light fixtures, HVAC diffusers and sprinkler heads where integrated into the architecture and became part of the total aesthetic.